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Monday, March 31, 2014

In its fourth year, Atlanta Blooms! at the Atlanta Botanical Garden features nearly 300,000 blooms including tulips—my personal favorite!—daffodils, hyacinths, crocuses, and other bulbs, as well as flowering trees, shrubs and other flowers. It's beyond stunning!

The Atlanta Blooms! exhibition is "March through April". In its inaugural year, there were more specific dates, but the Garden quickly learned that Mother Nature doesn't necessarily follow a specific calendar, not a detailed one anyway.

Atlanta Blooms!, Atlanta Botanical Garden

I've been to Atlanta Blooms! several times this season and yesterday was by far the best of the day's I've been. I went with a friend visiting from Washington, D.C. who had never been to the Atlanta Botanical Garden—which I didn't know until we were almost there—so, it was great fun for me to play tour guide. And they pointed out how much they enjoy my enthusiasm for the Garden. That meant a lot to me.

Atlanta Blooms!, Atlanta Botanical Garden

For this post, I'm going to let you enjoy the photos while I tell a story...the story of why tulips are my favorite flower.

Atlanta Blooms!, Atlanta Botanical Garden

This is a story, that I've been told over the years, of an instance that I don't even remember. I was barely old enough to walk.

Atlanta Blooms!, Atlanta Botanical Garden

My parents had divorced and we were living with my grandmother, Evelyn, or "Granny" as we kids called her. I was two years old and we had moved from Florida to South Carolina, long before my time in Atlanta.A little about grandmother: Her mother was born on the Cherokee Reservation in North Carolina, so grandmother had dark hair, dark eyes, a Cherokee complexion, and the most incredible cheek bones! She was also a mere 4' 9" tall...she loved to eat—she was an incredible Southern cook!—so, she was also a little Butterball. Adorable!

Atlanta Blooms!, Atlanta Botanical Garden

One Spring, or it might have been late Winter, grandmother's tulips had blossomed and they were beautiful. Then a frost came and wiped out all of them...except for one.

A couple of days later, here comes little Travis walking into the house with said lone tulip in-hand, saying, "Flower, mommy, flower!"

Atlanta Blooms!, Atlanta Botanical Garden

How the real story goes, I'll never know, but that's the way I remember it being told over the years. I loved my grandmother very much and miss her dearly.

She wasn't the kind of grandmother that spoiled me rotten or chastised me for the crazy things a younger generation does. She just loved me. She loved me unconditionally and for who I am. Can anyone ask for a more pure love than that?

Tulips are my connection to her now; they always evoke cherished memories of Granny.

Atlanta Blooms!, Atlanta Botanical Garden

When you visit the Garden to see Atlanta Blooms!, you quickly realize that the blooms are EVERYWHERE! They're at the entrance, in the Woodlands, in the Rose Garden, around The Great Lawn, the Perennial Garden, in the Edible Garden...everywhere! So explore at your leisure and enjoy one of the most wonderful respites from the hustle and bustle of city life Atlanta has to offer.

Atlanta Blooms!, Atlanta Botanical Garden

The bulbs of Atlanta Blooms! are gorgeous and are what make the exhibition. But also enjoy the other flowers in the Garden. The cherry trees in front of Mershon Hall are stunning, as are the many, many other flowering trees and shrubs throughout the Garden...and then there's always the visitor-favorite Fuqua Orchid Center.

Atlanta Blooms!, Atlanta Botanical Garden

If you go now, you'll also get to see the wonderful Orchid Daze exhibition. It's up until Sunday, April 13. And remember, the Garden hosts a 'Gently Used Plant Sale' every year after Orchid Daze had finished. This year's Sale is scheduled for Wednesday through Friday, April 16-18. Watch their website for additional details, or "Like" them on Facebook, which is always a great way to stay in-the-know of happenings at the Garden.

Atlanta Blooms!, Atlanta Botanical Garden

The best advice I can give you, if you can only visit the Garden on one day (again, membership has its benefits, including being able to visit again and again and again), keep an eye on other blooms throughout Atlanta, or even the bulbs planted at the Garden entrance. They'll be a good indicator of what's coming up inside.BUT...also keep in mind that many of the flowers in the exhibition are planted in such a manner as to give a longer period of varying blossoms. Seriously, if you go every weekend for a month, each visit will be a different experience. That's one of the things I love about the Garden!Don't miss Atlanta Blooms! It happens but once a year and only at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. I say "only"...but, one of the goals of Atlanta Blooms! is to encourage Atlantans to plant more flowers. Just imagine if every yard in Atlanta had spring bulbs blooming...beautiful, right? But until then, we have the stunningly beautiful Atlanta Blooms!

There are two consecutively running exhibitions, both part of this year's Atlanta Science Festival, which wrapped up yesterday. The OUMA exhibits will continue to be on display through Sunday, May 4, 2014.I'd like to interject a huge "Thank you and congratulations!" to the Atlanta Science Festival. They had phenomenal programming and how fantastic that they included the Oglethorpe University Museum of Art!

Optic Chiasm, Oglethorpe University Museum of Art (OUMA)

I'm showing you only a few of the pieces in Optic Chiasm, and the photographs do not do justice for how incredible the actual pieces truly are. But as usual, I want to save something for you to experience in person.When you're planning to see the exhibit, consider going on a Wednesday evening in April. There's a lecture series coupled with the current exhibitions. The one I'm particularly interested in attending is "How the Art You See Depends on the Physics Your Brain Knows", presented by Dr. Michael K. Rulison, Professor of Physics, Oglethorpe University.

Optic Chiasm, Oglethorpe University Museum of Art (OUMA)

The above piece is one of three in the exhibition by artist Allan Eddy. Eddy is an award-winning 1988 graduate of the Atlanta College of Art. In 2000, stricken with meningitis, he went totally blind overnight. Years later, to the great surprise of a number of doctors, he has regained a small portion of sight in one eye, as well as some color distinction. Atlanta-based Eddy continues to paint today.Eddy will be presenting a lecture at the Museum on Wednesday, April 30, at 7:00 p.m. titled, "Painting in the Dark"...another must-attend. Pictured above, Flora and Fish represents Eddy's current style of art—abstract/surrealism in pointillism. Optic Chiasm was coordinated by Ms. Nancy Lowe, Director, Symbiosis Art+Science Alliance; Dr. Nicole Gerardo, Assistant Professor of Biology, Emory University; and the lovely Ms. Elizabeth Peterson, Director, Oglethorpe University Museum of Art.

Optic Chiasm, Oglethorpe University Museum of Art (OUMA)

Many of the pieces in the Optic Chiasm exhibition are coupled with "Please Touch" signs. You don't see that every day and it brings a level of connection with the works that non-tactile interaction just can't.A departure from the Museum's 17th Century paintings and Japanese porcelains, I offer high marks for such an impressive departure...these exhibits and all they represent are phenomenal!

Optic Chiasm, Oglethorpe University Museum of Art (OUMA)

The above piece, one of three in Marcia R. Cohen's Out of the Blue series, was my personal favorite in the Optic Chiasm exhibit. The panel on the right is a literary description—in braille—of the painting.I once tried to learn braille, but didn't have the required patience—for someone in the 6th grade anyway. Instead, I started learning American Sign Language. I never became proficient, but can laboriously carry on a conversation in Sign.I think those early experiences contribute to my fascination with an exhibit of this nature, but I hope the above preview piques the interest of everyone. Optic Chiasm: The Crossing Over of Art & Science is definitely worth a visit and do consider attending one of the OUMA lectures.

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Atlanta is one of only two U.S. cities to show Red Bull Illume Image Quest 2013, held only every three years. Exhibition host, Piedmont Park, positioned the exhibit at its 12th Street entrance. Open sunset to 11:00 p.m., you'll see it blocks before you get there...you can't miss it!

"Red Bull Illume is the world's premier international photography competition dedicated to the world of action and adventure sports. Its purpose is to showcase the most exciting and creative action sports photography on the planet as art and bring the public into the world of action sports."

This is the third edition of the competition, one that I personally hope will continue, but given that it's every three years, we'll have to wait until 2016 for the next one.For the 2013 edition, tens of thousands of entries were submitted from photographers all over the globe. An impressive panel of international judges and photo editors narrowed those entries to the Top 50 images in 10 categories.

Red Bull Illume Image Quest 2013 | Piedmont Park | Atlanta

The exhibition is on two separate paths, but close enough that you're not going to miss either. The majority of it is on the main path leading from the 12th Street entrance and the remainder is on the overlook facing Park Tavern and Monroe Drive.I was impressed by the visitors' friendliness, politeness, and how quite they were. I've visited many an indoor museum that was disrespectfully loud...no way to reflect or contemplate, so this was a refreshing experience. My evening at Illume was absolutely delightful.

Red Bull Illume Image Quest 2013 | Piedmont Park | Atlanta

The exhibition has an information booth, as well as docents walking around answering questions, offering Red Bull—which I didn't take because I needed to sleep, and thought later I could have used it to wake up the next day!—and they were also giving a way a 6"x6" softcover books featuring the 50 photographs on display! That I graciously accepted.They asked which was my favorite and I had to think about it...there are some incredible works here! I said of course that I love the one with the Stormtrooper helmet (the distraction almost caused me to miss the athlete in the top right corner of that image), which was one of the girl's favorite, as well.But my final favorite image—one that made the To 10 finalists list—is a shot by photographer Lorenz Holder of a huge white building kn Sweden with high-contrasting horizontal rectangular windows. The sliver of ground showing is covered in pure white snow and the action in the shot is snowboarder Jordan Mendenhall jibbing the rail of a slightly snow-covered set of stairs. I love the shot!

Red Bull Illume Image Quest 2013 | Piedmont Park | Atlanta

I was surprised to see a mobile bar with beverages and snacks, but how great that they had that available!I have to say, from what I saw of Piedmont Park when I first moved here in 1987, I am incredibly impressed with what the Piedmont Park Conservancy has done to improve the Park. And they just keep going and going and going..."Thank you!" Piedmont Park Conservancy!

Red Bull Illume Image Quest 2013 | Piedmont Park | Atlanta

I made this shot of Lake Clara Meer—a man-made lake for the 1895 Cotton States and International Exhibition—looking toward Atlanta's Midtown skyline, a mere few feet from the exhibition. So while you're there, pop over for a great view of our skyline!Remember, tonight and tomorrow night are the only remaining chances to see Red Bull Illume Image Quest 2013. The Awards Ceremony was held in Hong Kong and from there the exhibition went to Vancouver, Canada. Next stop and final stop: Scottsdale, Arizona.

Heading out to see the new Muppets Most Wanted film? Make it a double feature and hang out with Miss Piggy and Kermit...in 'person'! Atlanta is wonderfully fortunate to have a number of Muppets in residence...and soon we're going to have a LOT more! This is thanks to the Center for Puppetry Arts, which happens to be on Spring Street.

Muppets at the Center for Puppetry Arts, Miss Piggy

I'd love to see millions of tourists visit the Center for Puppetry Arts, as well as locals! The Center offers a lot more than most would think. Quite a lot more!A few of the Center's offerings include: puppetry performances—for the whole family, as well as some adult-only shows; the extensive museum is phenomenal; a vast array of tour options; puppetry classes for all ages; a research library; and their signature annual fundraising event, the String Fling Gala. Mark your calendars now!

Muppets at the Center for Puppetry Arts, Kermit the Frog

I'm not sure when he joined, but today my favorite Muppet is Pepe the King Prawn...he makes me laugh! And I've always loved the Swedish Chef—one of the extremely few Muppets with human hands. The Muppets just make me smile, and often they make me laugh. Seriously, how can you not like them?!

Muppets at the Center for Puppetry Arts, Pigs in Space

I've loved the Muppets since the first time I saw them as an 11-year old kid. I still enjoy the movies and sometimes while YouTubing. And one of my favorite segments was Pigs in Space, with Link Hogthrob and Dr. Strangepork.

Muppets at the Center for Puppetry Arts, Miss Piggy

The Henson family has generously gifted the Center for Puppetry Arts a significant portion of The Jim Henson Collection. Announced in 2007, they'll have approximately 400 puppets, and numerous other artifacts, to create a new exhibition, which will be housed in the Center's exciting expansion, set to open in 2015.There's more information about the expansion and renderings in the main hall.

Muppets at the Center for Puppetry Arts, Kermit the Frog

Did You Know: In 1978, Kermit the Frog and Jim Henson himself, cut the ribbon to open the now world-renowned Center for Puppetry Arts.Today, Brian Henson, Chairman of The Jim Henson Company, is also the lead judge on a new competition show on Syfy...Jim Henson's Creature Shop. The winner gets a creature/puppet making job with The Henson Company! Gigi Edgely, perhaps best know for her role in Farscape, for which The Jim Henson Company made the puppets/creatures, is the show's host.If you're local or an event planner coming to Atlanta, you can rent any of the many facilities at the Center, whether for a birthday party or a corporate retreat. Where better to get the creative juices flowing...FUN!

Muppets at the Center for Puppetry Arts, Pigs in Space

In addition to the extensive Spring Street museum, the Center for Puppetry Arts also has an online exhibition, featuring puppets from all around the globe, grouped by continent. [online collection]. If you're planning a trip to Atlanta, I hope this has whet your whistle and piqued your curiosity enough to add the Center for Puppetry Arts to your visit itinerary. I should note that photography is not permitted in the museum, except at the entrance where the giant Pinocchio feet are. A huge "Thank you!" to the Center for Puppetry Arts for allowing me to make and share photos with you.

I'd already planned on seeing Muppets Most Wanted, but then I got to see Miss Piggy, Kermit, Link Hogthrob, and Dr. Strangepork, which made seeing the Muppets on the Big Screen even more exciting.Now, head on over to the Center for Puppetry Arts...and please, tell Miss Piggy I said "Hello!".

Friday, March 28, 2014

Some may ask, "Why are your writing about farmers markets on a tourist blog?"Well, given the steadily increasing popularity of fresh, organic, and sustainable food options and the number of people seeking out local farmers markets, it just makes sense. But the bottom line is that I myself have enjoyed more than a few farmers markets while on vacation.I'm totally fascinated with Farm Mobile—a farmers market on wheels!

Farm Mobile, Holly Hollingsworth

I've known Holly Hollingsworth (pictured above) for two or three years through local farmers markets. Today, she works for Riverview Farms, the masterminds behind Farm Mobile. And she 'is' Farm Mobile...she's the one you'll have the pleasure of shopping with when you visit Farm Mobile.I actually heard of Farm Mobile before I heard about Riverview Farms, perhaps because of locality. Riverview Farms is one of the vendors at the new Freedom Farmers Market at the Carter Center. And The Jimmy Carter Library & Museum is a great outing after shopping at the market!

Farm Mobile

So, in this post there aren't a lot of veggie photos. While Farm Mobile has plenty of freshly picked veggies, I wanted to highlight some of the other things they offer.

Farm Mobile, Riverview Farms

What did I purchase on this trip to Farm Mobile? Grits! As soon as I saw them, I knew they were mine. I'm hosting a brunch next weekend for a group of great friends and it just wouldn't be a Southern brunch without grits! My grits go-to dish is Jalapeno Cheese Grits...I love them! Here's a grits recipe from local celebrity chef and cookbook author Virginia Willis that you might enjoy. [Cheese Grits Casserole 'Muffins']

When you come to Atlanta, you absolutely must visit H&F Bread Co. (go to their website for a listing of places to experience their incredible bread!) or Restaurant Eugene, between Buckhead and Midtown on Peachtree, both by Chef Linton Hopkins, who I've had the pleasure of meeting on numerous occasions. I was surprised to see H&F Bread in Farm Mobile, but shouldn't have. Chef Linton is dedicated to sustainability and all things green. And he's an ambassador for buying Georgia made and grown products. See Georgia Grown, a program of the Georgia Department of Agriculture to learn more about their Georgia Grown Executive Chef program, of which Chef Hopkins is a participant.

Farm Mobile, Riverview Farms

As I was walking up to the Farm Mobile truck not too long ago, I spy none other than Chef Joe Truex, the brilliant Executive Chef at Watershed on Peachtree. Chef Truex, originally from Louisiana, has trained in the culinary arts all over the world, but today focuses on bringing Atlanta a unique spin on Southern cuisine. Consider experiencing his famous fried chicken—Wednesday's only; his gumbo—Thursday's only; or his new Creole Jazz Brunch—Sundays.Coincidentally, I first met Chef Truex at a farmers market. He was conducting a chef demo at Green Market in Piedmont Park...and was it delicious! I'll talk more about Chef Truex and Watershed in another upcoming post. In the meantime, here's a Chef Truex cooking demo featuring Banana Crepes...! [Banana Crepes]

Farm Mobile, Riverview Farms

Most never realize just how much it takes to operate a food truck, let alone a farmers market on wheels! It was pretty cool to learn a little about the behind-the-scenes operation of Farm Mobile, how they manage to run their refrigerators, for instance. Fascinating stuff!

Farm Mobile, Riverview Farms

I was incredibly impressed at the vast variety of offerings in Farm Mobile. I'd have never thought there would be so much to choose from in what you think would be a small space. They even have fresh pasta!I think I've mentioned before that I lived on a goat ranch in Boulder, Wyoming, the summer after I graduated high school in Pinedale, Wyoming. There were 40 goats, the leader of the tribe being Persephone, a marvelous outdoor garden, and a greenhouse just off the living room in the house that Duane had built. The house was two-thirds underground, but the greenhouse got plenty of light. In the greenhouse were a wide range of vegetables, herbs, and fruit trees! So, why tell you all this? Taking it back to pasta, Duane and his wife Pip were on travel and Duane's sister came to help tend to the goats and house. One evening, she and I proceed to make lasagna—everything from scratch! Almost everything...we didn't make our own pasta. I so wish I knew how to back then! We used beef from a cow that they'd butchered not too long before, the tomatoes and herbs were from the greenhouse, the cheese we used was made from the goat's milk that we'd collect every morning at 5:30 a.m. The finished dish was beyond memorable! Making a meal from items that grew a mere few feet from the kitchen was one of the more remarkable culinary moments of my life!

Farm Mobile, Riverview Farms

I mentioned that Farm Mobile offers a wide range of treats, right? In addition to truly fabulous produce, they also have a modest selection of gourmet chocolate! And who doesn't love chocolate!When I lived in Washington, DC, there was a fantastic gourmet chocolate shop less than two blocks from my home. After discovering Biagio's Fine Chocolate (now Cocova), I stopped eating mainstream chocolate. The experience of fine chocolate is unlike any other.Today, I love to stop by Chocolate South in West Midtown for my special chocolate experiences. They also won the 2013 Flavor of Georgia competition, and I'm not talking just the dessert competition, they won for the entire show! More about Chocolate South in the not-too-distant future.

Farm Mobile, Riverview Farms

While I never had a dog—my brother always did, so I did grow up with them—I find it super cool that Farm Mobile offers doggie treats! And the folks at Big Daddy Biscuits are super friendly. They're at a number of farmers markets, so check them out when you visit.

Farm Mobile, Riverview Farms

I learned about Farm Mobile through Riverview Farms, which frequents several farmers markets in Atlanta, in addition to operating Farm Mobile. Farm mobile visits multiple spots in Atlanta throughout the week. Look for the above pictured truck and signup for email notices or follow them on Facebook for their schedule of stops. And be sure to say "Hello!" to Holly for me!

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Jimmy Carter has led quite the remarkable life. And very soon you will have an opportunity to meet him. Keep reading...Growing up the son of a peanut farmer, Jimmy Carter would become the President of the United States, during a time of problems at home and abroad. While his 'perceived' mishandling of those issues did not win him a second term, his work in advocacy and diplomacy earned him the respect as one of the most successful post-administration Presidents this county has ever seen. Carter's 2002 Nobel Prize for Peace, the only native Georgian to win the Prize other than Martin Luther King, Jr., speaks to his post-administration efforts.

Jimmy Carter Library & Museum

The Jimmy Carter Library & Museum is one of those museums that no matter how often you visit you're going to see something you hadn't seen before. And they offer an extensive amount of programming, book signing events, special exhibitions, and much more. The building was dedicated and the Museum opened to the public October 1, 1986. The research room was opened January 28, 1987.

Jimmy Carter was in the U.S. Navy, as was I, and served submarine duty. I tried for submarine duty, but my math wasn't strong enough...good thing I enjoy writing. When I was in the Navy I did meet others who served on submarines and always found them fascinating. It's a unique assignment. Carter also got into photography, another passion of mine, but don't worry, I'm not pointing out similarities because I'm considering running for public office...I'm not.In the Facebook photo album coupled with this post, you'll find a passage of "The Navy Wife", which in today's world seems downright archaic and not at all politically correct. However, if read from a 2014 perspective,it can be quite humorous.

Jimmy Carter Library & Museum

Carter's father was a peanut farmer. When Jimmy was four years old, he and family relocated to Archery, a town approximately two miles from Plains, Georgia, Jimmy's birth town. It was a sparsely populated and deeply rural town, where mule-drawn wagons remained the dominant mode of transportation and electricity and indoor plumbing were still uncommon, much like my grandmother's home when I was two years old. I still miss her so much!

Jimmy Carter Library & Museum

The Oval Office was created in 1909, as part of an expansion of the White House. The room has grown to represent the authority and responsibility of the president. While you can't sit at the President's desk (like you can at Madame Tussauds in New York City—done that!), you do get to enter the Oval Office to explore from one side of the room.

Jimmy Carter Library & Museum

The 'Power of Hollywood' has convinced us that the 'Red Phone' was a hotline to the Kremlin, when in fact, during President Carter's Administration it was used to communicate with U.S. military command centers. You're going to be blown away by the number of artifacts in this museum!

Jimmy Carter Library & Museum

The Museum has on display quite a few of the items from other countries, as well as from the United States, that were gifted to former President Carter and former First Lady Rosalyn Carter, including this amber and gold necklace gifted to Rosalyn by President Joaquin and Mrs. Emma Balaguer of the Dominican Republic, and the gold broach with a semiprecious stone was gifted to Rosalyn by Queen Sirikit of Thailand.

The Library itself is incredibly fascinating. It consists of an archives and a museum and is approximately 69,750 square feet...it's really more of a research facility, with a museum. The archives house approximately 27 MILLION pages of Jimmy Carter's White House material and papers of administration associates. And there are half a million photographs and hundreds of hours of film, audio and video tape. Researchers won't quickly become bored!

Jimmy Carter Library & Museum

As I write this, which has encompassed stolen moments over several days, I'm watching The Colbert Report with Stephen Colbert who is interviewing former President Jimmy Carter. Wow! How much fun. I sincerely hope that at 89 years old, I am as much fun and will be as energetic as President Carter. I'm really impressed at how lucid he is...and I mean that with zero disrespect. In fact, I have the greatest respect for President Jimmy Carter and what he's accomplished in his life.

Jimmy Carter Library & Museum

In the Museum, you'll get to see President Carter's Nobel Peace Prize, his Emmy Award, and his and Rosalyn's Medals of Honor (pictured above), which is the United States' highest honor for civilians. There are numerous other awards, bestowed on them, throughout the Museum.When you first arrive, you'll purchase your modestly-priced tickets in the gift shop and then enter the Museum through a theater. I highly recommend taking the time to watch the brief film offered. It chronicles Jimmy Carter's life and notes his many accomplishments. It's well worth the time.Speaking of time, plan plenty for your visit to The Jimmy Carter Library & Museum...there's so much to take in! But don't let that stop you if you have only a little while. I think you'll enjoy the experience no matter how much time you have.I started this post by saying that you will soon have an opportunity to meet President Jimmy Carter, in person. He will be at The Jimmy Carter Library & Museum signing his new book, A Call to Action: Women, Religion, Violence, and Power, on Wednesday, April 9. The line (seated) begins at 4:00 p.m. and the signing begins at 6:00 p.m. It's not every day you get to meet the son of a peanut farmer, a sailor, a former U.S. President, and an incredibly effective humanitarian...all in one person!

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Even people with front row seats won't get this close to THE LION KING. The Center for Puppetry Arts, one of Atlanta's magical and marvelous cultural destinations, recently opened a new temporary exhibit, THE LION KING: Up Close. This rare opportunity features four masks and one puppet used in the Broadway production of THE LION KING, and you get to experience the masks really up close!THE LION KING: Up Close is on display in conjunction with the run of THE LION KING opening at the Fox Theatre on Thursday, April 10, 2014 (video preview). The exhibition—on display now—and the performance will run through Sunday, April 27, 2014.

The Lion King: Up Close, Center for Puppetry Arts

The Center for Puppetry Arts treated me (wanderlust ATLANTA) to a private tour of THE LION KING: Up Close, as well as the Center's incredible—and extensive—museum. If you've never visited the museum, you're going to be swept away to a land of awe and wonder. That's assuming you get past the giant Pinocchio coming through the ceiling at the museum entrance!My tour guide was Daniel, of the Center's Marketing Department. It was fantastic to see so much enthusiasm for an exhibit, and his knowledge of the Center's collections is impressive. And they're ALL super excited about the upcoming expansion of the Center for Puppetry Arts...it's going to be AMAZING! (There's lots of information about the expansion near THE LION KING exhibition)

The Lion King: Up Close, Center for Puppetry Arts

THE LION KING: Up Close showcases Julie Taymor and Michael Curry’s award-winning designs. Visitors get an intimate look—we're talking super close—at the Simba, Nala, Mufasa and Scar masks, as well as the Zazu puppet, used in the Broadway production. How cool is that?!

The Lion King: Up Close, Center for Puppetry Arts

Did You Know: There are more than 200 puppets in the stage performance of THE LION KING, which took more than 17,000 hours to build.

The Lion King: Up Close, Center for Puppetry Arts

The stage performance features a wide range of dance, including: modern, ballet, African, and hip hop. That was a deliberate effort, to ensure that everyone could connect with the show.Choreographer Garth Fagan says that the lioness dance—performed by character Nala (her mask above, lower left)—is his personal favorite.

The Lion King: Up Close, Center for Puppetry Arts

When you visit the Center for Puppetry Arts' THE LION KING: Up Close, be sure to make time to explore the museum and/or take in a performance or workshop. There's a LOT going on at the Center, and it's all quite brilliant! Watch for a separate post in the near future that goes into more detail about the museum.

The Lion King: Up Close, Center for Puppetry Arts

Please allow me to acknowledge those who made this exhibition possible...THE LION KING: Up Closeis presented through a partnership between the Center for Puppetry Arts, Disney’s THE LION KING and FifthThird Bank Broadway in Atlanta. Having watched a decline of the arts in school, it's refreshing and reassuring to see partnerships like this one that bring excitement and encouragement to so many who are interested in pursuing a career in the arts. And that we have institutions, like the Center for Puppetry Arts, that serve as arts education destinations for our children.

The Lion King: Up Close, Center for Puppetry Arts

I love themed outings, so I'm compelled to suggest enjoying a "Day of THE LION KING".How's this sound: Visit the lion habitat at Zoo Atlanta; then head over to the Center for Puppetry Arts to see THE LION KING: Up Close, followed by a performance of Disney's THE LION KING at the Fox Theatre. Sounds like fun, yes?

Here's a quick preview of what you can expect to see at the stage performance, showing the masks you will have seen earlier in the day at the Center for Puppetry Arts. Have a great time!